Lamar Little League’s first LLWS journey in 21 years concluded with a 7-3 loss to Braintree (Mass.). The Richmond squad surged early, with Sontag starting the attack by singling to left followed by a Williams sacrifice, Carlisle delivering an RBI single, and back-to-back hits from Disselkoen and Helmke to make it 2-0. A rolling sequence of errors opened the door for a two-run triple by McCarthy, putting Braintree ahead 3-2. The visitors extended the lead to 5-2 in the second, Lamar loaded the bases in the third but couldn’t capitalize, and Trotta’s two-run hit pushed the margin to 7-2. Sontag’s third hit in the fifth plated Miller to cut the deficit to 7-3, but the rally stalled. This marked Lamar’s LLWS return, their first since a third-place finish behind Mexico after Grichuk’s run, a reminder of the program’s enduring pipeline to elite youth baseball.

In the broader LLWS lore, Lamar’s matchup featured a mix of early offense and late-inning blocks, with key performances from in-game catalysts like Carlisle on the mound and Sontag at the plate. The game showcased the high-leverage moments that define youth tournaments: misplayed balls turning into scoring chances, runners navigating bases loaded situations, and timely hits bending momentum. The loss ends a historic dip into Williamsport for the Richmond program, echoing its prior LLWS chapter and underscoring the pathways young players traverse toward college or pro levels. Matthew Richards filed from Houston with the recap.

Blake Snell and Dylan Cease anchor a pitcher heavy Saturday slate, with Snell favored despite facing Cease in their collision. Snell has looked sharp since returning, delivering strikeouts in his starts, while Cease brings elite upside at the high end. Casey Mize is priced up beyond his ceiling, but Lorenzen and Zebby Matthews present solid value bets in midrange ranges. On offense, Shea Langeliers is heating up after the break, and Ketel Marte with Corbin Carroll offer compelling Coors Field upside. Angels at Athletics and Giants vs Rays emerge as the two clearest stacks, anchored by Neto, Trout, Ward and Ramos, Schmitt, Devers respectively. Balance salaries with midrange pieces like Colt Keith and Slade Cecconi to round rosters.

Friday’s 12-game DFS slate centers on carefully balancing pitcher payups with value arms and stacking the right offenses in a game environment that leans offensive in several matchups. Framber Valdez is the marquee payup at 9,900 but recent road work tempers enthusiasm, especially with Baltimore’s deep lefty-susceptible lineup. Noah Cameron offers a safer, cash-friendly floor at 9,200, while Hurston Waldrep is a budget-longshot with upside in a Cleveland club that struggles against righties. Target Rockies–Diamondbacks and Athletics–Angels for run-heavy stacks, and don’t overlook Red Sox’s trio against Alcantara in a potential salary relief scenario. The Padres–Dodgers weekend set features Machado and Tatis thriving against Clayton Kershaw, while Ronald Acuña Jr. is slated to return and injects a burst of upside for Braves stacks. Weather looks calm overall, with a hint of wind in Kansas City, keeping most offenses in play. Build around a mix of high-leverage arms and eclectic stacks to maximize leverage and ownership gaps.

Key high-leverage offenses to monitor include the Astros, Dodgers, Padres, and Braves, each carrying multiple affordable or mispriced pieces. Red Sox exposure vs Alcantara gives Boston simple pricing discipline with Bregman, Duran, and Roman Anthony as the core trio, while Arizona’s Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. headline a strong Diamondbacks contingent that can punch back against a Rockies pitching plan. Rockies’ Hunter Goodman, Mickey Moniak, and Brenton Doyle present solid mid-price stacking options against Corbin Burnes’ or Pfaadt-influenced rotations. In pitching, value spikes come from mid-tier arms in favorable matchups, coordinating with offense-heavy lineups to secure tournament upside or steady cash gains.

Bobby Witt Jr. returned to Kansas City’s lineup after a one-game absence with a stiff back, reloading the Royals’ offense in the No. 2 hole as they chase a wild-card push. Witt’s presence instantly upgrades KC’s speed and power while keeping a multi-category floor intact in a tight late-season scramble.

Witt’s 116 games yield 130 hits, 71 runs, 17 homers, 65 RBIs and 30 stolen bases, with a line of .284/.340/.493 and an .833 OPS, ranking him second on the club in OPS and a constant fantasy driver. With KC four games behind the Yankees for a wild card and 44 games left, Witt’s health and workload become the pivot point for counting stats and category leverage as the Royals target a sprint to October.

KC heads into a winnable three-game set with the Nationals, a pivotal opportunity to trim ground in a crowded Wild Card race. Witt’s steadiness atop the order could buoy runs and RBIs across the lineup, while his elite speed adds another dynamic element—especially in leagues that reward stolen bases and power.

In dynasty and seasonal formats alike, Witt Jr. remains a high-floor, multi-category asset whose health is the key variable as the season intensifies. If he stays on the field, Kansas City’s offense could surge, elevating Witt to a must-start status in fantasy and DFS alike as the clock winds toward October.